O.J. Mayo On DeMarcus Cousins: That Guy Has Some Mental Issues

The Sacramento Kings are 7-13 so far this season and as usual are struggling to find their way with all that young talent. The Dallas Mavericks are a little better, at 11-10 and you knew something had to give last night when the two teams squared off.

Down 25 to Mavs in the second quarter and battling for a rebound, Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins hit Mavs guard O.J. Mayo below the belt.

Cousins said it was an accident, but Mayo felt the blow was malicious, and the two got in each others faces and had words.

Cousins: “It wasn’t intentional, but there was a lot of trash talk,” said Cousins, who had been fighting Mayo for position when he delivered the no-look blow behind him.”

Mayo was having none of the unintentional talk, and according to Pro Basketball Talk, feels Cousins has some mental issues.

Mayo: Man, I was so pissed.”

“It’s just, where does that come in in the game, you know what I mean? He’s a talented player, has a chance to be an All-Star. But you do stuff like that, it takes you down a class.”

“That guy has some mental issues, man,” Mayo said. “He’s a talented player. He has an opportunity to be the face of that organization, but I don’t think he wants it. …

“He’s immature, man. Big maturity problem. Hopefully, he’ll grow up out of it and become great. He definitely has the talent to.”

I understand O.J. Mayo is rejuvenated, but he’s in no position to criticize Cousins, and he’s not the poster boy for maturity himself, having struggled with it since his high school days.